Road racing veteran and TT winner Michael Rutter will join Ryan Farquhar's KMR Kawasaki team for a three-pronged attack on the new Lightweight TT this year riding one of the Irishman's ER-6f machines.

The Midlander will race alongside Farquhar and youngster Jamie Hamilton but against the likes of Michael Dunlop, Cameron Donald and Ian Lougher. Before then, the bike will be debuted by Kirk Jamison who joins Jeremy McWilliams in the team at the Northwest 200.

“It’s great to have two more riders added to the team and it gives us a great chance of honours at the Northwest 200 and Isle of Man TT. Having someone of the stature of Michael in the team is a terrific honour as he’s one of the finest road racers of his generation and it will give the team a great chance of succeeding in the re-introduced Lighweight TT," said Farquhar.

"To be able to have riders like Michael and Jeremy on board the bikes shows just how far the team's come. Kirk is one of Northern Ireland’s best short circuit racers at present and although the Northwest 200 is a different ball game, I’m confident he’ll give a good account of himself.

“Having four bikes on the grid at the North West and three at the TT is a big undertaking so I’m hoping I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew! I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think we could succeed though and all the lads in the team are mechanically minded and able to help out so I’m sure we’ll be fine. I’ve been working on the bikes since the end of last year and they’re better than what we finished 2011, having found some more speed so it’s looking really good.”